Children need to see doctors for immunization, check-up, and to track growth and development. As a parent, you know how hard it can be to make child doctor visits easier for your kids. Some kids don’t react at all, while others can become scared of a stranger trying to assess them. Picking the right time can help with behavior issues, and making them comfy also helps. Sharing here 7 ways to make doctor’s visits easier for kids. Try to apply them, you’ll find out how effective they are.

1. Request a Home Visit

Not all doctor visits have to be at the clinic. You can inquire and request a home visit if your child has an extreme reaction to the office or cannot make it in. There are also some procedures, such as developmental pediatric screening, that doctors prefer to carry out at home. Being in a familiar environment where they feel safe and more in control can be a huge help when a doctor treats your kids. However, ask first because not all doctors are able to come to your home.

2. Make Child Doctor Visits Easier at the Right Time

There are times when your kids will be better behaved or happier than others. For example, you probably know the times when they are grumpy, hungry, or hyper. So it can help to book an appointment at times when you know your kids will be more accepting of a doctor. Of course, every child is different. In most cases, an early morning visit works best when they are in a happier and more lively mood. Therefore, try to book an appointment at around 9 am.

3. Keep Yourself Composed

One of the best ways to keep your kids calm is to stay calm. The way you behave and how you treat your children when they are in distress can have a big impact on their mood and habits while you are out. For example, if your child is misbehaving, try not to shout at them and speak calmly. This will also help keep any other children in the clinic calm as well. Any discomfort your child is feeling will only be made worse if you begin to become annoyed or upset as well.

4. Explain What Will Happen

Children are very afraid of the things they don’t know or understand. And it may even be possible they had a bad doctor experience previously. So it helps to explain what will happen:

• Tell your children where you’re going and who you are going to see.
• Explain to your child what is likely to happen during your visit to the doctor.
• Tell your kids that you will be with them at all times when they see the doctor.

It is normal for children to be scared of going to the doctor. But after one or two visits, they usually calm down, and some can begin to look forward to further visits with a good experience.

5. Bring Their Toys and Games

The average waiting time in a child doctor’s office is around 45 minutes. This can feel like a lifetime for a child, and even longer if they are bored. There are no rules against bringing your child’s favorite toys and games with them. This will help keep them distracted and in better spirits for when they are able to see the doctor. Also, it is very rare that the doctor’s office won’t have toys and games they can play with if you forget to bring your kids’ favorite stuff along.

6. Make Child Doctor Visits Easier with Help

As you will be well aware, you need to have eyes in the back of your head when you have kids. So it can help to bring some help with you. Your partner, grandma, or friend can be a major help. This is essential for times when you need to step away from your kid and speak to the doctor. And some children are also better behaved when certain people are around, such as dad. This way, you can both share the responsibility of looking after your kids when at the clinic.

7. Reward them for Visiting

Rewarding kids for good behavior is a good way to ensure they stay well-behaved when visiting a doctor. And it is also best practice not to punish them for bad behavior. This can be as simple as visiting a toy store, going to the park for a while, or getting their favorite food. But, of course, there will always be a lollipop from the doctor. Rewarding your kid for good behavior at the office can also help reinforce positive emotions and expectations for further visits you need to make.

 

You can make child doctor visits easier with some small changes. You can request a home visit if necessary. It also helps to explain what will happen, and an extra pair of hands always helps.